Siddharth
Long Distance Trooper
One of the most enjoyable songs from Senjutsu, for me is "The Time Machine" which is often called out for its heavy self-plagiarism.
Are there parts which share similarities with other previous songs? Yes.
Is it lazy or uninspired? NO.
The Time Machine's lyrics has the narrator talking about how he has 'been through' time and urges the listener that even though being a mere man (and not a preacher) he can provide some enlightenment. Again, these lyrics can be interpreted metaphorically as well, along with some musical hints from previously recorded songs. The intro sounds a mix between the intros to "The Legacy" and "The Talisman". The harmony right after the first verse, is often compared with that from the mid-section of "The Book Of Souls" (that actually sounds similar to that from "The Edge Of Darkness", which in turn sounds similar to "Hallowed Be Thy Name"). Now this can be interpreted as the time traveler, having been through the past ("The Book Of Souls" is based on the Mayan civilization), connecting dots with the present.
What I find funny is that, all the songs which are being referenced here have Janick as the songwriter. One can notice a pattern in his writing style as how he often includes parts in his songs which are in some way similar to his own previous works (similar song structure in "Be Quick Or Be Dead" and "Judgement Day"; the entirety of "The Time Machine") or sometimes not (compare the intro of "Wasted Years" with that of "Shadows Of The Valley") as if they are in a linear continuation or say, a part of the same saga, if you will. A good example of this writing style can be that of Dream Theater. Hardcore DT fans, must have noticed how in "Learning To Live" there is a small part which is similar to the previous track "Wait For Sleep", both from the 'Images And Words' album.
Now I personally believe, as the theme of the song is about time traveling ("I remember meeting a six year old girl who asked me about dinosaus, eight hundred thousand years ago. I remember the first book I recommend and I remember you" - 'The Time Machine' by H.G. Wells) and hence all those parts can be considered a nod to the "past". Just my opinion!
Are there parts which share similarities with other previous songs? Yes.
Is it lazy or uninspired? NO.
The Time Machine's lyrics has the narrator talking about how he has 'been through' time and urges the listener that even though being a mere man (and not a preacher) he can provide some enlightenment. Again, these lyrics can be interpreted metaphorically as well, along with some musical hints from previously recorded songs. The intro sounds a mix between the intros to "The Legacy" and "The Talisman". The harmony right after the first verse, is often compared with that from the mid-section of "The Book Of Souls" (that actually sounds similar to that from "The Edge Of Darkness", which in turn sounds similar to "Hallowed Be Thy Name"). Now this can be interpreted as the time traveler, having been through the past ("The Book Of Souls" is based on the Mayan civilization), connecting dots with the present.
What I find funny is that, all the songs which are being referenced here have Janick as the songwriter. One can notice a pattern in his writing style as how he often includes parts in his songs which are in some way similar to his own previous works (similar song structure in "Be Quick Or Be Dead" and "Judgement Day"; the entirety of "The Time Machine") or sometimes not (compare the intro of "Wasted Years" with that of "Shadows Of The Valley") as if they are in a linear continuation or say, a part of the same saga, if you will. A good example of this writing style can be that of Dream Theater. Hardcore DT fans, must have noticed how in "Learning To Live" there is a small part which is similar to the previous track "Wait For Sleep", both from the 'Images And Words' album.
Now I personally believe, as the theme of the song is about time traveling ("I remember meeting a six year old girl who asked me about dinosaus, eight hundred thousand years ago. I remember the first book I recommend and I remember you" - 'The Time Machine' by H.G. Wells) and hence all those parts can be considered a nod to the "past". Just my opinion!
